Facebook and Instagram operator Meta, Google, TikTok, Amazon and Twitter have voluntarily signed the code of practice for online safety and harms, requiring them to reduce harmful content on their platforms, introduce a robust public complaints system and provide yearly reports on safety standards.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/25/social-media-companies-promise-to-reduce-harmful-content-in-new-zealand

Also see:

Tech giants sign pact to tackle digital harm
A joint agreement between social media platforms and digital stakeholders in New Zealand hopes to set an industry-standard for online safety.

Meta (which includes Facebook and Instagram), Google (including YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (including Twitch) and Twitter have signed the Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms, which goes live from today.

The agreement, which the companies signed alongside online safety regulator Netsafe and tech sector advocates NZTech, commits them to reducing harmful content by instituting clear public complaints mechanisms and reporting yearly on their safety standards.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/big-five-of-tech-companies-sign-code-to-handle-digital-harm

Tech giants sign joint agreement to improve online safety in NZ
Some of the world’s biggest technology companies have collaborated with Netsafe and NZ Tech on a joint agreement to improve online safety in Aotearoa.

Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (Twitch) and Twitter have signed the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms, which obligates them to actively reduce harmful content on their platforms.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/technology/2022/07/facebook-google-twitter-sign-online-safety-code-to-protect-new-zealanders.html
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/tech-giants-sign-joint-agreement-to-improve-online-safety-in-nz/ar-AAZVlMr

New online safety code blasted as ‘attempt by Facebook to subvert NZ institution’
Just hours after some of the world’s biggest technology companies signed a joint agreement to improve online safety in Aotearoa, the deal has been criticised.

Meta, Google, TikTok, Amazon and Twitter inked the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms alongside Netsafe and NZ Tech, which obligates them to actively reduce harmful content on their platforms.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/technology/2022/07/new-online-safety-code-blasted-as-tech-giants-attempt-to-claim-legitimacy-in-new-zealand.html
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/new-online-safety-code-blasted-as-attempt-by-facebook-to-subvert-nz-institution/ar-AAZVvoF

Social media giants agree to ‘first of its kind’ code of conduct in Aotearoa
Social media giants including TikTok and Meta will soon become more accountable for the content on their platforms in New Zealand, voluntarily signing up to a code of conduct led by Netsafe, which targets issues such as hate speech and misinformation.

The Aotearoa Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms obligates the firms – Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (Twitch) and Twitter – to actively reduce harmful content on their digital platforms and services in the country.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129357992/social-media-giants-agree-to-first-of-its-kind-code-of-conduct-in-aotearoa

NetSafe agreement with social media giants obliges them to reduce harmful material
NetSafe has reached an agreement with Meta, Google, TikTok, Amazon and Twitter for a code of practice, obliging the tech giants to actively reduce damaging material.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/brent-carey-netsafe-reach-agreement-with-social-media-giants-obliging-them-to-reduce-harmful-material/

Netsafe, NZTech and global tech companies act to tackle digital harms
Netsafe, NZTech and five of the world’s leading technology companies have collaborated on a joint agreement that sets a benchmark for online safety in the Asia Pacific region. Today, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (Twitch) and Twitter have signed into existence the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms.

The first-of-its-kind Code obligates tech companies to actively reduce harmful content on their relevant digital platforms and services in New Zealand.

Netsafe new CEO Brent Carey says the Code is a self-regulatory effort that has been designed with input from civil society groups, interest groups and will be monitored by a new multi-stakeholder governance group.
https://nztech.org.nz/2022/07/25/netsafe-nztech-and-global-tech-companies-act-to-tackle-digital-harms/

NZTech Inform – security, privacy and digital trust
It’s a big week for security, privacy, identity and trust!

NZTech, Netsafe and five of the world’s leading technology companies have collaborated on a joint agreement for online safety, setting a benchmark in the Asia Pacific region. Today, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (Twitch) and Twitter have launched the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The first-of-its-kind Code obligates tech companies to actively reduce harmful content on their digital platforms and services in New Zealand. Netsafe has managed the development and consultation process, and from today NZTech will manage the establishment and administration of the Code.
https://nztech.org.nz/2022/07/25/nztech-inform-security-privacy-and-digital-trust/

Netsafe and Global tech companies act to tackle digital harms and enhance online safety [news release]
Netsafe, NZTech and five of the world’s leading technology companies have collaborated on a joint agreement that sets a benchmark for online safety in the Asia Pacific region. Today, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), TikTok, Amazon (Twitch) and Twitter have signed into existence the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms.

The first-of-its-kind Code obligates tech companies to actively reduce harmful content on their relevant digital platforms and services in New Zealand.

Netsafe new CEO Brent Carey says the Code is a self-regulatory effort that has been designed with input from civil society groups, interest groups and will be monitored by a new multi-stakeholder governance group.

“Digital platforms kept everyone connected during Covid, but unfortunately there was a spike of more than 25% of harmful content reports. There are too many kiwis being bullied, harassed, and abused online, which is why the industry has rallied together to protect users.”

Carey says cooperation between the six companies and various stakeholders has been essential in establishing an online safety framework for New Zealanders.

Graeme Muller, CEO of NZTech, New Zealand’s peak technology association which will take over the establishment and administration of the Code said, “This unique collaborative approach toward creating a better digital environment for all Kiwi’s is just the start and as more organisations join and sign up to the Code we will be in a much better place as a country to ensure our experience on the Internet is as safe as possible.”

The Code builds on solid online safety principles from New Zealand, Australia, and the EU, including bringing to New Zealand the same regime on mis and disinformation currently in operation in Australia.

Carey says the framework outlines the collective and voluntary commitments to safer online spaces. On top of being closely evaluated, each company will publish annual reports about their progress in adherence with the code, be subject to sanctions for breaches of their Code commitments and take part in a public complaint’s mechanism.

“The reports provide an opportunity for consumers to protect their interests and the public to scrutinise action being taken by a company if it fails to meet its commitments under the Code.”

Feedback on the code was gathered over an extensive 10-week consultation period with civil society, government, and the public, collecting a wide range of feedback for consideration.

Graeme Muller said, “The Code will be a living document, it can be amended biannually, and we hope the governance framework will enable it to evolve alongside local conditions, while at the same time respecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression.”

The Code coincides with New Zealand’s Netsafety Week which takes place from 25 to29 July. The overarching theme of the week “Diversity Matters, Online Safety Done Together” focuses on understanding different communities’ online safety perspectives and encouraging respectful relationships online.

“We continue to work with our stakeholders to grow awareness of the Code and welcome more tech companies, including more Kiwi companies, to become a signatory of the Code.”

“We are constantly finding responsive ways to keep pace with the potential threats posed by technology and bridge regulatory gaps. Everyone deserves to be safe online and industry codes are one means to support that to happen. Ultimately addressing these important issues while protecting freedom of expression, will require a whole of society approach and we think this Code is a step in the right direction.”

About Netsafe
Netsafe is an independent non-profit organisation with an unrelenting focus on online safety. We keep people of all ages safe online by providing free support, advice and education.

About NZ Tech
NZTech is a not-for-profit, non-governmental (NGO) membership funded organisation. We represent 20 tech communities and over 1000 members from across the New Zealand technology landscape who collectively employ more than 10 percent of the workforce.

NZTech’s mission is to support a values-led, nationally connected tech community that is collectively lifting equity, sustainability and prosperity for all in Aotearoa, by creating jobs, export growth and impact through tech for good.
https://www.netsafe.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Netsafe-and-Global-tech-companies-act-to-tackle-digital-harms.pdf